Shock-absorbing hub for vehicle-wheels.



J. W. TILTON. SHOCK ABSOEBING HUB FOR VEHICLE WHEELS. APPLICATION FILEDMAY 1, 1912.

dob/7 Walker 27/7017 Patentd 001;. 15, 1912.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrrcn.

JOHN WALKER TILTON, 0F ATLANTIC CITY; NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO GEORGE HOEFER, CLEMENT J. ADAMS, AND NICHOLAS W. YOUNG, ALL OFATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

SHOGK-ABSORBING HUB FOB VEHICLE-WHEELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. May 1, 1912. Serial No. 694,554.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WALKER TILTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Atlantic City, in the county of Atlantic and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shook-Absorbing Hubs for Vehicle-Wheels; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to vehicle wheels of the shock-absorbing type, andhas particular reference to certain novel features in the constructionof the hub, wherein suitable cushioning-devices, preferably spiralsprings, are interposed between the hub proper and the outer rim orspoke-section thereof.

The chief object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen the cost ofproduction of this type of wheel, without in the least impairing itsefliciency in operation.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a completedisclosure thereof, such, for instance, as providing a strong anddurable wheel, unlikely to become weakened in any of its parts, orunable to successfully absorb any shock to which it may be subjected.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved wheel, oneof the side plates being partly broken away to show the arrangement ofthe cushioning and driving devices, and Fig. 2 is a section on line 2, 2of Fig. l.

Referring to the several views, the nu meral 1 indicates the hub proper,the ends of which are eXteriorly screw-threaded to receive the circularside-plates 2, 2. The side-plates are reinforced at intervals by Webs 3,which extend radially from the hub l to within a short distance of theouter circumference of said plates. Operative be tween the side-platesis an annular rim 4 in which the butt ends of the spokes 5 are receivedand fastened by bolts 6, and in order to provide for suitablelubricating material the inner faces of the plates 2 are furnishedseated to confine the lubricant and prevent noise or rattle, and toreduce friction. The lnner periphery of the annular rim is provlded withtransverse slots 9, preferably dove-tail shape, to receive dove-tailheads of stud-pins 10, and the outer periphery of the hub proper isprovided with similarly shaped slots 11, to receive the dove-tail headsof stud-pins 12. Fitted between the stud-pins 10 and 12 are spiralsprings 13, they being preferably arranged in pairs, as shown in Fig. 2.

Arranged between each set of springs is a spring-driver 14, each driverconsisting, preferably, of a double leaf member 15 having its headseated in a dove-tail slot 9, the leaves of the member being slightlyseparated to receive a single leaf member 16 having its head seated in adove-tail slot 11, the space between the respective stud-pins, and thatbetween the outer end of the single leaf spring and the crotch of thedouble leaf spring being amply sufficient to permit of the relativemovement between the hubproper and the spoke-section rim. Eachspring-driver is substantially the full width of the space between theannular plates 2, as shown in Fig. 2, and serve to prevent torsionalstrain to the cushioning-springs, and to assist in the initial startingof the wheel.

Dust and dirt are excluded from the cushioning-springs by the annularside-plates, which are readily removable when it is desired to inspectthe springs, or renew the same in case of breakage.

The-invention is especially applicable to automobile wheels, taking theplace of the costly pneumatic tire which is liable to puncture and causetroublesome delays arising therefrom, besides reducing running expenses.

It will be obvious that the spring-drivers may consist of one or moreleaves as desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A shock-absorbing hub, comprising a central hub having its outer endsscrewthreaded, side-plates screwed on said ends,

Patented0ct. 15,1912.

with grooves 7, 7 in which felt rings 8 are.

an annular spoke-holding rim operative In testimony whereof I aflix mysignawlithin the lspaize-forlfned betwjeen tlllle sideture, in thepresence of two witnesses.

ates a ura it 0 airs o cus ionin evices ari anged hetwe en said rim andti i e- JOHN TILTON' central hub, and a leaf spring driver ar-Witnesses: ranged between each pair of cushioning CLEMENT J. Aim ng,devices. HELENE M. STUTZBAOH.

Gopie: of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by add ressing the Cqmmissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

